Education is at the core of every change on a community, statewide, national or international level. We try our best to reach as many communities and community members in Montana as possible. From youth to adult education, on a scale as large as communities to smaller target groups like law enforcement and workplaces, Bike Walk Montana wants to make active transportation education available to ALL Montanans.
EDUCATION RESOURCES
Encouragement
MT Trails Rx
MT Trails Rx is a partnership of Bike Walk Montana, MT State Parks, local park departments, and clinics to develop and implement a program for medical providers to issue prescriptions for walking utilizing local trails and paths. This program provides brochures for medical providers to give the patient, a prescription pad for issuing a walking prescription, and assistance to help create maps of local trails to be used and given to the patient.
There is no cost for us to help you create and implement this program. We do ask that clinics cover the cost of printing their own materials and provide feedback on the success participating in the program. Here are some resource materials, as well as walking maps in various Montana Regions:
MT Trails Rx Resources
mt trails rx Area Maps:
DEER LODGE: Arrowstone Park | Old Yellowstone Trail | Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site Hiking Trails | Deer Lodge Medical Center Trails RX Brochure
DILLON: Barrett Hospital | Soccer Field Complex
GREAT FALLS: Wellness Walking Map
HAMILTON: Hamilton Walking Map
HELENA: Capitol Mile Loop | Centennial Fitness Trail
LIVINGSTON: Livingston Trails Rx
MILES CITY: Holy Rosary Trail | Miles City Walking Map | Riverside State Park | Spotted Eagle Trail
MISSOULA: Fort Missoula Regional Park
PHILIPSBURG: Philipsburg Trails RX
POLSON: Mission Valley Path
STEVENSVILLE: Stevensville Walking Map
Take a Break / Take a Walk
A Frequent Walking Motion Lifestyle: Just a 5-minute walk 4-6 times per day can lead to a healthier lifestyle. Print this sign and post in your home, car, office or wherever you may find yourself throughout your day. Use as a reminder of the power of stepping away from your schedule and taking a walk.
Some opportunities for taking a 5-minute walking break may include:
Once around the house/yard every morning
Once around the parking lot on the way into work, or into a store/office
Once around the office/workplace at mid-morning and afternoon break
Once around the parking lot or block on the way to the car at lunch
Once around the parking lot or block on the way home, or out of a store/office
Once around the house/yard every evening
When traveling, at a rest area along the way
MONTANA PEDESTRIAN SAFETY TIPS
FOLLOW THE RULES
Walk on the sidewalk. If one is not available, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
Obey all pedestrian traffic signals.
Do not leave the curb and walk into the path of a vehicle that is too close to stop.
When crossing mid-block, always yield to the motor vehicle.
Drivers are required to yield for pedestrians at intersections regardless if there is a marked crosswalk.
BE VISIBLE
Wear reflective clothing or a light at night so drivers can see you.
CROSS STREETS SAFELY
Cross only at intersections when possible.
Clearly indicate your intention to cross the street.
Always look before crossing.
Make eye contact with the driver.
Never assume a driver will give you the right-of-way.
AVOID DISTRACTIONS
Do not text or talk on a cell phone when walking along or across streets.
Avoid using headphones; listen to what’s happening around you.
Avoid alcohol consumption; it impairs your safety as a pedestrian.
MONTANA BICYCLE SAFETY TIPS
BICYCLES ARE VEHICLES
A bicycle is a legal vehicle with the same rights and responsibilities as a motor vehicle.
SIGNAL TURNS AND BE PREDICTABLE
Bicyclists must use proper hand signals when turning left or right or changing lanes. don’t weave in and out of traffic.
RIDING AT NIGHT
Bicyclists must use a front light, a rear reflector or light, and reflective material on the sides when riding at night.
OBEY THE TRAFFIC LAWS
Obey all traffic signs and signals
When riding slower than other traffic, ride as far to the right as safety allows, except when turning or passing. Stay clear of the door zone.
Bicyclists may legally use the full lane.
Bicyclists should use turn lanes.
Bicyclists are NOT required to use a bike lane of shoulder.
Always ride single file on two-lane roads.
Bicyclists must yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalks.
NEVER RIDE AGAINST TRAFFIC
REMEMBER: WEARING YOUR HELMET COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
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Adult Education Resources
The following are a few educational resources, created by Bike Walk Montana, you can print out or save on your computer as a reminder of best practices for safe bicycling and walking.
The American Bicycling Education Association is a great resource for bicycle safety and educational material. Through their Cycling Savvy Program, everyday citizens are invited to take a class and learn more about how to be a safe and confident bicycler. Through their FREE Savvy Cyclist membership, you can take an online Essentials Short Course, and inspire yourself (as well as others!) to be a safer part of traffic.
The League of American Bicyclists is another great resource for cyclists of all skill levels. On top of providing quality content including cycling tips and rules to operating a bicycle safely on the road, they also provide an interactive map that links the viewer to various bicycle friendly organizations, shops, rides, events, classes, and more!
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YOUTH EDUCATION RESOURCES
Safety begins at an early age, and Bike Walk Montana can help get kids off to the right start! These are a couple of programs that Bike Walk Montana can help bring to your school, organization, or neighborhood. Please contact us today to find out more information!
BIKE RODEO/SAFETY CLASS
In these programs students learn and practice the skills to follow the laws and be safe riding on the streets. They will learn how to signal turns, yield for motor vehicles, ride on the street safely, and be visible to drivers, all while having fun! If you would like to host a bike rodeo in your community, please reach out to us.
If you would like to start your own bike rodeo, check out this how-to guide on Bike Rodeos and check out this presentation:
WALKING SCHOOL BUS
Walking School Bus (WSB) is a program that brings kids and adult volunteers together each morning, on a set route, to walk to school. Bike Walk is able to provide WSB volunteers with reflective clothing, and kids with reflective leg bands and lanyards that sport the letters “WSB,” while supplies last. If you would like to check out any of those resources from Bike Walk’s headquarters, send us an email, and we are happy to provide materials to get your WSB more visible! If you would like to know more about a WSB check out this presentation that tells you a little more about what a WSB entails.
If you would like to start your own WSB, check out this how-to-video:
Student Education Resources
University of Montana — Since 2013, the University of Montana has been considered a Gold-Level Bicycle Friendly University, a title awarded by the League of American Bicyclists. Check out some of the University of Montana’s transportation resources for cyclists. Also, explore some of their bicycle programs, such as their Rent-A-Bike program that lets UM students check out a bicycle all semester for $60.00 or their FREE bike lights made accessible through the ASUM Transportation Office.
Montana State University — Since 2018, Montana State University has been considered a Bronze-Level Bicycle Friendly University, a title awarded by the League of American Bicyclists. On their website you can find more information on their bicycling community, including all of the resources available to students and faculty who commute to campus by bicycle. From the Bobcat Bike Check which offers free valet service to those who arrive at Bobcat Football games by bicycle to information on their “Bicycle Master Plan,” MSU is working hard to encourage students, faculty and staff to commute by bicycle. Check out their Cycle Safe Tips to learn more about bicycling through campus, street bicycling, reporting accidents, and other useful advice for MSU cyclists.
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COMMUNITY EDUCATION RESOURCES
Grassroots advocacy begins at the local level, but it’s often hard for advocates to know where to begin or how to build support within their community. Whether you’re trying to build the case for trails, a livable community, safer streets, or promoting bicycle tourism, here are just a few ways you can make a difference in your community:
Presentations to City Councils or stakeholder groups, tailored to focus on what you’re trying to accomplish
Workshops to help identify priorities and strategies
Walk Audits: nothing tells the story more than going for a walk and discovering what the barriers and challenges, along with possible solutions are to building a safer and more accessible community. Would you like to host a walk audit in your community? Check out AARP’s Walk Audit Tool Kit to learn how you can make a change in your town’s walkability/bikeability, right in front of your own doorstep!
Pop-up traffic calming projects are community-based efforts to see how low-cost and temporary (7– 30 days) versions of street design elements affect the behavior and safety of all people using local streets and roadways. Here’s a great pop-up planning guide for Montana communities to implement lighter, quicker, and lower-cost complete streets projects, made possible by BWMT, AARP and MSU’s Western Transportation Institute.
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WORKPLACE EDUCATION RESOURCES
Would you like to help your employees remain safe during their commute, while encouraging them to walk or bike to work? Here are just a few ways to help your workplace feel more bikeable and walkable.
Host lunchtime talks – these can either be an informal talk, a more formal presentation, or a walking “meeting” where participants can share tips and best practices
Hands-on clinics to teach bicycle skills and safety
Safety materials or commuting tips to distribute
Encouragement programs for commuters
Workplace assessments to help you identify how to make your workplace more inviting and accessible for employees and consumers to access via walking or bicycling
Check out the League of American Bicyclists Guide for Commuters, which provides great information of the benefits of commuting by bicycle, advice on how to be a safe commuter, what gear commuters will need and find helpful during their commute, and how to keep your bicycle and cargo safe from theft and inclement weather conditions throughout your workday.
Also from the League of American Bicyclists, learn about what makes a business a “Bicycle Friendly Business℠,” and start the process of being recognized nationally as a supporter of active transportation in your community.
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LAW ENFORCEMENT EDUCATION RESOURCES
Check out American Bicyclist's Education Association video: Friends in Law Enforcement: Understanding Cyclists’ Position on the Roadway. The video provides critical information that explains a few common cyclist behaviors, and how they are not only thinking about their own safety, but the safety of those who are operating motorized vehicles that share the road. After all, our actions on the road affect ALL road users, meaning we really are all in this together!